“Simple?” Another guest named Certrus snorted into his goblet. “What could be a simple about a king?”

IT

was a huge, elegant dinner party. The king was there, along with every dignitary in the entire kingdom. It was the king’s birthday, after all, and when it came, it was celebrated with all the pomp, grandeur, and royalty befitting, well… royalty.

“Incredible party, Your Majesty. Truly splendid.”

“I’ve never seen such a feast in my lifetime! Remarkable!”

“Only a true king could put on such a display for their guests! To many more years, Your Majesty!”

The compliments and adoring comments flowed almost as quickly as the aged wine. The king circled among the tables, his brilliant smile never once waning on his lips as he entertained his guests.

“Not a simple man, is he?” a guest named Felix whispered, his eyes on the king, and his teeth on a massive turkey leg.

“Simple?” Another guest named Certrus snorted into his goblet. “What could be a simple about a king?”

“Don’t be a fool. Kings tend to be the most dimwitted of anyone in their kingdom. Drunk with power and a life of privilege that they inherited but did not deserve nor earn, kings are more unworthy of true respect than the drunkard sitting outside the doorway waiting for scraps.”

Felix and Certrus glanced at the drunk man standing by the guarded doors, his eyes wide and his expression pleading.

“But our king is different, you say?” Certrus swirled the wine inside his goblet.